Page 21 of (Un)Spoken

Now that my feet no longer felt like they were being tortured, I walked around the reception area, taking in all the details. I had to give Calla credit; Cole and Alex’s wedding was one of the most beautiful events I’d ever seen. Fifteen round tables circled the lawn, the tops covered indifferent shades of lace, lanterns, and oversized sunflowers. Fairy lights had been hung from different poles, bathing the space in an enchanting glow. As the sun started to set in the distance, the soft lights illuminated the whole place. It felt like we’d been whisked away into the middle of an enchanted forest, the magical creatures celebrating at our sides.

Despite the beautiful atmosphere, the best part of the day was when Cole spotted Alex coming down the aisle. My big brother didn’t show a lot of emotions. Most of the time, they were buried deep under layers of snark and sarcasm, so to see him tear up at the sight of Alex in her wedding dress knocked me in the stomach, making my own eyes well with tears. They exchanged simple vows, promises they made to only each other.

As soon as the ceremony was over, the whole place devolved into a giant party, with almost everyone in town showing up for Cole and Alex. My parents made themselves right at home in the middle of the chaos, happily sharing stories from Cole’s youth.

I decided to stay more on the outskirts, feeling both at home and like an outsider at the same time. It was no secret that this town drew you in, instantly making you feel at ease. However, there was a camaraderie among its residents, one that wasn’t necessarily extended to visitors right away. It was a delicate balance I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate, but with every day spent at Saint Stephen’s Lake, I felt like I was becoming part of it.

As I stared out at the crowd, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned, smiling, when I met Alex’s eyes. She looked gorgeous in a tea-length lace dress. The off-white color suited her skin tone, highlighting her summer glow.I pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations! The ceremony was beautiful.”

“Thanks,” she chuckled, pushing her long, brown curls over her shoulder. “And thank you for being here. You know Cole’s not the best at expressing his feelings, but he’s beyond grateful you came.”

“Me too.” I was a little shocked that my words held. Even with my initial apprehensions, I knew I made the right choice. If I’d missed Cole’s wedding, it would have been hard to forgive myself. “You guys seem great together.”

“Eh, we’re okay,” Alex chuckled. “Took us a while to let down our guards, but it was so worth it when we did.”

I glanced across the field, finding Adam waiting on the other side. My traitorous eyes had followed him all afternoon, all too conscious of his movements. Every time he tried to come near me, I fled, feeling too exposed after my late-night confessions. But now, watching him laugh with Theo and Calla, it made me wonder if it would be the worst thing to let him in. Sure, we were only teetering on the edge of friendship, but it felt like it could be so much more.

Alex followed my line of sight, smirking when she realized where my attention had drifted. “If you tell Cole this, I’ll kill you, but…” She chuckled. “I could see it.”

“See what?”

She rolled her eyes, patting my arm as she pulled away. “Just know, Adam’s like a brother to me, and his heart is so big, it’s almost fragile. Hurt him, and you and I are going to have a big fucking problem.”

“Did you just threaten me?” I whipped my head toward her.

She smiled as she pinched her fingers together. “Just a little bit. Consider it an even trade. If I hurt Cole, you cantry to kick my ass. But just so you know, I’d rather rip out my own heart, so we should be good.”

I shook my head, laughing. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Alex winked then flitted away into the crowd, dancing into Cole’s waiting embrace. They stood in each other’s arms in the middle of the dance floor, almost ignorant of the world moving around them.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out, frowning when I noticed the time. 7:30; Emilia’s bedtime back home. Even with many miles between us, I refused to let my daughter start or end her day without hearing from me. I hit the green button, walking off into the field as my daughter’s face filled the screen.

“Hey, baby,” I cooed. “How was your day?”

“Good!” she yelled, her wide-bright smile almost making my heart burst. “Hadley took me to see the pigs.” Her eyes widened. “Mommy, they’re HUGE!”

“They can be,” I chuckled. “What other trouble did you get into with Auntie Hadley?”

“Not much,” she said, letting a yawn slip out. “Daddy came home after practice, so she left. She said Daddy didn’t know how to have fun.”

“That sounds about right,” I grumbled, failing to hide my annoyance. Cam and Hadley had always been oil and water. I was used to navigating conflict between them, which was fine for me, but if they kept using my daughter as a buffer, we were going to have words. “Are you all ready for bed?”

“Yup!” she proudly exclaimed. “I picked Mr. Pickles as my stuffy.”

“That’s a great choice. Give him lots of tight hugs.”

“Mommy…” Emilia’s voice called out, already sounding sleepier. “When are you coming home?”

“Only two more sleeps, baby, then I’m going to give you the biggest hug and never let you go.”

“Mommy…” she chuckled. “You have to! I need to help with the pigs! The farmer said I can help him feed them.”

“I guess that’s okay, then.” I leaned in, pretending to kiss the screen. “I love you, little one.”

“Love you too, Mommy. Foreva and eva.”

“Forever and ever, baby.”

---